West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran has no immediate plans to retire after his side’s disastrous T20 World Cup campaign.
Instead, the 27-year-old plans to use the “pain” he feels as fuel to come back stronger.
Pooran joined the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad for their training session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba yesterday, rested and refocused and ready to lead again.
“Well look, I’m fine now,” he said of his mind after the Windies crashed out of the World Cup after losses to ICC associate members Ireland and Scotland in the first phase of the tournament.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons subsequently resigned from his post on Saturday, a day after their nine-wicket loss to the Irish.
“The last two days, obviously I’ve been hurt, but I’m grateful to have this opportunity to play this game again. As players, we go through a lot and this is definitely a learning experience for me and the other players, but I’m happy to have another chance to play this game and starting on Monday, we have a chance to play against CCC ( Combine Campuses and Colleges) and that is where my focus is at the moment,” Pooran told the media yesterday.
Pooran, who will lead the Red Force in their CG United Super50 Cup title defense starting on Monday against CCC, noted that Simmons had briefed the players on his intentions while still in Australia and hoped his achievements the coach and the team would not be darkened. from recent failures.
“Obviously, he told us in Australia that was the plan for him. It is clear that it is difficult for him. He has given his all to West Indies cricket, winning a World Cup for the West Indies as well, so I hope people don’t forget that too. He made his decision and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. It was very nice to work with him as well, but he made his decision,” said Pooran.
On his future, the midfielder said: “Obviously, we don’t know what the future holds, but we’ll take it day by day. Again, it was a learning experience for all of us and this is our journey and story. Time will tell what happens, but for now it’s just about focusing on ourselves and how we can improve as individuals,” he explained.
Pooran added that, “rest is the ultimate (way to heal) and every player needs that, but even inside he’s still hurt.” However, he said that, “I want to use that injury as motivation and definitely come back strong.”
He further said, “I have been thinking for the last two months…Playing cricket is my dream and obviously I have also had my test in life and this is another test for me. I am a person who embraces challenges and this was just another one for me. It won’t stop me. I will continue to learn from my experiences and again I am happy to wake up in the morning and see that I have an opportunity to play cricket again.”
